Strengthening Educators. Supporting Young Children. Building Community Stability.
The John and Janet Buckner Education Fund works at the intersection of educator workforce stability and early childhood access.
We are developing the Colorado Educator Child Care Stability Partnership, an inaugural pilot designed to help eligible K–12 educator families manage the cost of care for young children. The pilot will connect need-informed financial assistance with family choice, direct provider payment, and disciplined evaluation.
By beginning with a defined cohort and fully funding participant commitments before launch, the Fund intends to test the model responsibly, learn from families and providers, and build a credible foundation for future enhancement and expansion.
The HadaNõu Collective
Fiscal Sponsorship
The John and Janet Buckner Education Fund is a Colorado nonprofit corporation recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) public charity.
The Fund maintains a fiscal sponsorship relationship with The HadaNõu Collective, a Colorado-based nonprofit organization.
HadaNõu: \HA-da-noo\: (neologism) to humbly offer a solution
HNC receives and processes charitable contributions on behalf of the Fund and provides official tax acknowledgments for eligible gifts.
The Fund is responsible for its governance, program design, participant commitments, provider payments, financial stewardship, and evaluation.
HNC Organizational Information
Organization Name: The HadaNõu Collective
Executive Director: Nathan Pai Schmitt
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 300579, Denver, CO 80203
FEIN / Tax ID: 47-5606568
Governance Philosophy
Leadership for
Long-Term Impact
The John and Janet Buckner Education Fund is intentionally evolving from a founder-led organization into a professionally managed nonprofit governed by a majority-independent Board of Directors.
This phased approach allows the Fund to preserve the founders’ mission while strengthening independent oversight, financial stewardship, subject matter expertise, and community representation.
Board development will continue alongside pilot capitalization and program readiness so the organization is prepared to govern both participant commitments and future growth responsibly.